Background and objectives

Given the current challenge of increased global inequality there is an interest in exploring whether the incorporation of an international solidarity approach to AI would provide a framework to elucidate the duties of States, corporations, and civil society to strengthen equal access to technology, non-discrimination of groups and individuals in vulnerable situations, as well as generate support for both online diversity and social cohesion. It is proposed that International Solidarity can be a valuable part of AI governance and connect to the corporate due diligence mechanisms for engaging direct and indirect stakeholders by supporting the creation of transparent procedures to address participatory inclusion, compliance and remedies. The report can help map civil society stakeholders, identify corporate mechanisms to communicate with stakeholders, and explore how is these mechanisms are monitored and by whom.

The Independent Expert welcomes as much information as possible including concrete examples relating to the issues highlighted in the questionnaire with the link below in English, French and Spanish.

Please provide information on the following issues/topics:

To States:

1. Is the ability of stakeholders to access AI facilitated in order to engage in international solidarity actions or create international solidarity communities?
2. Do you provide direct and indirect stakeholders with transparent procedures to communicate their solidarity issues?
3. Is AI used within state institutions to process cases/claims (such as migration, asylum, health, labor, etc.)
4. What measures have been taken to end algorithmic discrimination impacting groups in vulnerable situations (including, refugees, migrants, minorities, women, children, etc.) in the use of AI by institutions?
5. Is the provision of AI education or training available for people in vulnerable situations?
6. Does an independent oversight mechanism exist within the State for review of the institutional use of AI?
7. What measures have been taken to diminish disinformation?
8. To what extent is international solidarity supported within the State as a value when applying AI?

To companies:

1. Do you facilitate the ability of stakeholders to access AI in order to engage in international solidarity actions or create international solidarity communities?
2. Do you provide direct and indirect stakeholders with transparent procedures to communicate their solidarity issues to your company? Who qualifies as direct and indirect stakeholder?
3. What measures have been taken to end algorithmic discrimination impacting groups in vulnerable situations (including refugees, migrants, minorities, women, children, etc.)
4. Do you provide AI education or training for people in situations of vulnerability?
5. Does the state have an independent oversight mechanism for review of its use of your AI?  
6. What measures have been taken to diminish disinformation?
7. To what extent is international solidarity supported within your company as a value?

To civil society organisations:

1. Are you able to use AI to build international solidarity communities and increase social cohesion- either political solidarity or social solidarity?  Please provide examples.
2. Do you have access to procedures to communicate solidarity issues directly to AI Companies or State Institutions? What kind of procedure do you have?  If not, what kind of procedure would you like to have?
3. Has your group (or members of the group) been subject to algorithmic discrimination?  What type of impact did it have?  Did you receive remedy?
4. Has the use of AI enabled education or training for groups or individuals in vulnerable or remote locations?
5. Are you able to participate in forums to ensure AI will not discriminate against direct or indirect stakeholders?
6. Is there transparency in the application of AI in contexts affecting you?
7. Does the use of AI promote diversity within your community? 
8. Is there independent oversight of the use of AI affecting you?
9. Are you subject to surveillance, disinformation, denial of benefits, preventive exclusion from engaging in cyber solidarity actions, etc.?
10. Do you have recommendations for the UN and the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity to strengthen AI International Solidarity?

How inputs will be used

All submissions may be posted on the mandate’s website, unless confidentiality is requested/specified at the time of submission.